Search Sign Language Dictionary

Browse Signs by...

ASL One-on-One Sessions: Savvy Tutoring and Savvy Chat

Whether you lack local resources where you can meet and sign with others, like the convenience of online sessions to better match your schedule, or want to work with a signing expert who can create a session that best meets your goals and objectives — we are here to help!

We offer one-on-one sessions with one of our signing experts through Savvy Tutoring or Savvy Chat. Each session is 30-minutes long and takes place online through video chat.

one-on-one

30 minutes

online

Savvy Tutoring versus Savvy Chat

The biggest difference between a Savvy Tutoring and Savvy Chat session is our signing expert spends time to prepare a specific lesson for a Tutoring session, while a Chat is more free form and all about practicing conversational ASL. A Chat is a fun and informal way to practice conversational ASL.

Each session is unique to meet the needs of the person who scheduled the session. Future sessions with the same person are often very different depending on the person’s changing goals and objectives.

30-Minute Session:$30 ($25 for Member)

30-Minute Session:$25 ($20 for Member)

We will create a custom lesson plan based on your current skill level, goals and timeline.

Learn about a specific topic related to sign language or Deaf culture.

Baby Signing — Tips for signing with a baby or children.

Advanced tutoring and tutoring for interpreters, including topics such as facial expressions, mouth morphemes, non-manuals, use of space, and classifiers.

Fun and informal.

Meet one-on-one to chat and practice ASL skills.

Practice conversational ASL.

Practice receptive and expressive skills.

Practice fingerspelling.

Introduction to American Sign Language Lessons

If you are just beginning to learn ASL and want to take private lessons, a series of Savvy Tutoring sessions structured to follow curriculum is what we suggest.

We recommend purchasing the Lessons and Activities in American Sign Language book to go with your Savvy Tutoring lessons, however, we have experience using other ASL curriculum as well, if you have a personal preference. If you are already a beginner signer, we will most likely start with a different curriculum guide.

We will create a custom lesson plan based on your current skill level, goals and timeline. The Lessons and Activities in American Sign Language book is divided into 15 lessons, but each Savvy Tutoring session will be designed to cover the right amount of material to match your learning style and pace. You are not obligated to any set of Savvy Tutoring sessions, so if we start working through the Lessons and Activities in American Sign Language book together, you can decide the pacing and how far you want to go. Learning ASL through Savvy Tutoring is a private lesson, structured to your needs, goals, and pace.

Improve Your Skills While Taking an In-Person Class

Several students taking in-person classes at both the college and high school levels have used Savvy Tutoring to prepare for upcoming quizzes and tests in their in-person class.

An important component of learning ASL is practicing and signing with others. Some in-person classes may not be structured to include very much time for practicing ASL, but practice is so important! Meet up with classmates to practice and go to local events where you can use your signing. Savvy Chat is another great option for practicing your signing. Some ASL classes and Interpreter Training Programs (ITPs) require a certain number of hours spent outside of class where you are voice-off and signing. Savvy Chat is a great option for one-on-one signing. Ask your instructor if Savvy Chat can count towards your participation hours required of your class / program.

How It Works

All chats are one-on-one, 30 minutes sessions, conducted online via video conferencing software. Chats with any of our deaf ASL experts will be voice off. However, there is a text message feature within the video conferencing software if needed. Chats with hearing ASL experts have the option of including voice on.

To get started, you will need a webcam, high speed internet connection, and a device that will allow you to download/install the Zoom video conferencing software (you can use a Windows or Mac OS X computer, iPhone, or Android device).